Mat for Rega P10


I decided to start this discussion to hear different experiences from Rega RP10 and P10 users. I know Rega does not suggest replacing their own, supplied with turntable, mat as doing so can degrade the sound but I have to say that I am loyal opposition to that concept, looking for replacement ASAP.

I know Framer recommended the Stein Music The Perfect Interface Carbon mat but $625 for mat is quite steep I think. Even the cheapest one is $250 and I do not consider It a bargain. 

Does anybody here use either of those two mats and can share some insight as to why they are so expensive and if they really make that much of a difference?

arturgorniak
I have a my mat from @slaw on a SOTA Sapphire w the upgraded factory platter mat , a heavily modified Sumiko FT-3 and a Nakagoka MP-110 into a fairly resolving system, I find the My Mat to be a sonic improvement, especially with drums - floor thru snare attack greatly improved along with vocal warmth and vocal intelligibility, in short excellent value and worth the slight $ to audition

enjoy the music :-)) and the journey 
I got my Washi because the static caused the mat to come up with the record sometimes. I don’t think the felt one from Rega is a piece of junk at all. I trust them as they do extensive testing and I’m sure it sounds best. It doesn’t deteriorate over time like cork (very good also).Other expensive ones I think are a waste of $$ and some may change the sound. Rega delivers uncolored sound IMO.

i could care less how the Washi looks, and in the last few days has started to soften up slightly and even came up with the record once or twice although I may have unintentionally grabbed it when picking up a record.

if it happens more often, I’ll go back to the Rega. I think the Washi may sound a little tighter and exact-not sure if I like it better or not. 
I just ordered a TEAC Washi turntable sheet for my P10.  I've been using a white leather mat that sounds great but it lifts off the platter occasionally.  I hope the Washi sheet solves the lifting off issue and sounds as good as my leather mat.  I upgraded to the P10/Apheta 3 in February 2020 from a Rega RP10/Apheta 2 that I owned for 4 years and I'm really pleased with the improved performance.  The upgrade virtually eliminated motor noise, improved tracking, and cuing the arm feels more precise.  The improvements Rega made in manufacturing precision has resulted in a better sounding turntable.   I think Rega knocked it out of the park with the P10.  My dealer that I've done business with for the last 25 years gave me a great deal on a trade-in upgrade. 
I am almost at my wits end with this. I have the Washi mat (which is supposed to sound better), the Rega original mat, and last week when I was at VPI (new VDH distributor) getting my Van den hul cart replaced, he gave me a VPI mat that has a plastic like backing to a felt mat that he said will never come up from static. It did - several times.

I went back to the Washi and I think the problem with it is that it is slightly larger than the others and may come up because I am lifting it when I lift the record, not form static. If it keeps happening, I am going to put a couple very small pieces of 2 sided scotch tape between the Rega mat and the platter and be done with it. That where the cartridge is set up for anyhow, and the Washi is about 1 mm thinner as is the VPI.

Sometimes practicality and usability become the primary issues. As a side note, the Tru Lift arm lifter I recently got works great (after some tricky adjusting during set up), as long as I remember to reset it every time it lifts the arm before the next record plays. When you're used to doing a ritual for 40 years unconsciously, it takes time to change. Place the record on the mat, brush it, cue it, release the cue......The problem is you don't need the Tru-Lift when you lift off the arm yourself sometimes, so I am always checking it. Oh well, first world problems....